State Supreme Court denies appeal in sexual assault case

Wednesday

May 28, 2014 at 4:51 PMMay 28, 2014 at 4:51 PM

By Jim.Hayden@hollandsentinel.com(616) 546-4274

The Michigan Supreme Court has denied an appeal from a Grand Haven Township man sentenced to up to 20 years for a sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl.“We are not persuaded that the questions presented should be reviewed by this court,” the judges wrote in their order released Tuesday.Adam James Hitsman, now 24, pleaded no contest in Ottawa County Circuit Court in June 2012 to kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct third degree force or coercion.A no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt, but is treated as such in determining a defendant’s sentencing.The charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct was dismissed, according to court records.Judge Jon Hulsing sentenced him on Aug. 20, 2012, to 192-240 months (16-20 years) in state prison for the kidnapping charge and 24-180 months (2-15 years) for the criminal sexual conduct charge. The sentences are being served concurrently, meaning at the same time.His earliest release date is May 17, 2028. His maximum discharge date is May 17, 2032, according to Michigan Department of Corrections records.Hitsman is at the Michigan Reformatory in Ionia County.— Follow Jim Hayden on Twitter@SentinelJim.